A tragedy for French cinema. This Saturday, April 18, 2026, Le Parisien confirmed the passing of Nathalie Baye. In a statement, the actress’s family announced that she passed away at her home on Friday, April 17. Nathalie Baye, aged 77, was suffering from Lewy body disease. Signs of weakness had started to show since August 2025. In response to the situation, Laura Smet did not hesitate to leave the southwest of France, where she had settled, to return to Paris to take care of her mother daily. The news of her passing and the nature of her struggle triggered an immediate emotional response, both among her colleagues and her many admirers.
Gerard Lanvin remembers his last meeting with Nathalie Baye. Since the announcement of Nathalie Baye’s death, tributes have been pouring in. Throughout her career, the actress worked with many actors and directors. In an interview with La Tribune du Dimanche on Sunday, April 19, 2026, Gerard Lanvin reminisced about his collaborations with Laura Smet’s mother. “We starred in three films together. She taught me to always respect others. She was one of those people who teach you how to do your job,” said the actor who appeared in “Une semaine de Vacances.” “I remember her simplicity and restraint. She didn’t want to be more famous than she already was. She loved to laugh,” continued Gerard Lanvin. In his testimony, the actor highlighted Nathalie Baye’s generosity. “I came from the flea markets of Saint-Ouen, she from the Conservatory. She welcomed me with so much friendship,” he recalled.
In another interview with La Tribune du Dimanche, Gerard Lanvin shared an anecdote about his last encounter with Nathalie Baye. “I saw Nathalie about a year ago, in the backstage of David Hallyday’s concert. She seemed tired, it troubled me,” explained the actor who landed his first major role in the cult film “Vous n’aurez pas l’Alsace et la Lorraine” (1977). “I learned about her passing with sadness. We shared wonderful moments that seem to have passed like a gust of wind,” concluded the 75-year-old actor. Many testimonies are converging towards the same direction: Nathalie Baye’s simplicity.
Death of Nathalie Baye: What is Lewy body disease? Nathalie Baye passed away on Friday, April 17, 2026, from Lewy body disease. A complex disease with symptoms similar to Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s diseases. A challenging condition to diagnose, affecting nearly 200,000 people in France, according to the Brain Research Foundation. Former TV presenter Catherine Laborde and actor Robin Williams also suffered from the same disease. Lewy body disease affects parts of the brain related to cognitive functions and movement. Like other neurodegenerative diseases, it mainly affects people over 50 and gradually leads to a loss of autonomy. Currently, there is no known treatment for Lewy body disease.
